Its not temperament all the time. Its behavioural. Being a specialist breed they require very good training, preferably with a very well known canine handler. The average cost of training an akita pup over 2 years is £3000, theres your temerament problem.
Zoe the Akita is a very large dog bred to hunt bear and wild boar in the mountainous regions of japan. When not hunting the bitch would be expected to care for the children and young babies while mum was in the rice fields working, baby/child and dog not too far away.
They make wonderful family pets but need very very good training, over a very long period, and cannot be trusted off the lead in any circumstances. They can be very territorial, an akitas home is his/her castle and the people in it are his/hers to protect, at any cost. They can be dog agressive, however with lots of socialisation at as young an age as possible can help counteract this trait.
I, personally, think this breed is a very good all rounder if you are prepared to put in the time, effort and money (lots of money lol) and can adapt to any way of living. If you want to do agility, an akita will be more than happy to participate (however the long coated akita is better for this and better off lead and with other dogs), if you want to show they love it, if you have a nice log fire, they're there but will have an awful coat lol. They are more than happy with as much exercise as you can give, be it 30 minutes twice a day or three hours twice a day.
I shall never be without an akita, its no longer home without it.
I agree Jeangenie. Why people allow such cross bredings i have no idea.
I understand that the NCDL have stopped nutering dogs for £20 for people able to provide proof of being on benefits, this could help if it were still available for those accidents and people being unable to afford the operaltions.
But still. Not a very clever idea crossing an akita with anything.
Its like these "wolfdog" things, people have been known to put Akita in that mix. These animals frighten me. It makes me mad that any breeds are ever crossed. So sad when people cannot cope with their needs and stick them in kennels or euthanise them.